The Gympie Music Muster has broken the record for most containers returned at a Queensland event in the history of Containers for Change.
The music festival returned 374,512 eligible drink containers across four days (28-31 August 2025), raising $37,451.20 in 10-cent refunds.
The refunds were donated to the event’s official charity partner River’s Gift, which invests in research, safe sleep education and advocacy to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Gympie Music Muster Chief Executive Officer Greg Cavanagh said he was incredibly proud of the Muster community for raising thousands of dollars for River’s Gift through recycling.
“That’s the power of thousands of small actions adding up to something life changing,” Mr Cavanagh said.
“It’s not just about the music; it’s about mateship, giving back, and looking after the land we celebrate on.
“Seeing patrons embrace Containers for Change in such a big way tells me sustainability and community support can go hand-in-hand.”
Gympie Music Muster was serviced by local Containers for Change operator Change Exchange, which services events and commercial partners in addition to its two public container refund points at Coolum Beach and Beerwah.
General Manager Steve Cox said Change Exchange was proud to be the team behind Queensland’s largest container return event.
“We work with major events to help organisers turn container refunds into real impact — whether that’s offsetting costs, supporting local causes, or achieving sustainability goals,” Mr Cox said.
“It takes more than bins to make it happen.
“With our fleet, onsite management, and specialist crew, we make large-scale container recovery simple, fast and efficient.”
Natalie Roach, Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange (COEX), the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, congratulated Change Exchange and Gympie Music Muster on the biggest container return event in the scheme’s history.
“Thanks to the incredible partnership between Change Exchange and Gympie Music Muster, more than 370,000 containers have been saved from landfill,” Ms Roach said.
“This achievement demonstrates the true environmental, social and economic benefit of Queensland’s container refund scheme.
“By ensuring no container goes to waste, events across Queensland can meet their sustainability goals, support charitable causes and reinvest in local communities and businesses.”
